2020 LM2 stretched timing chain.. <80K miles! GM needs to step up

[BlueDMax]

I have a situation... 2020 Silverado purchased in January 2020 with 4 miles. Fast forward 6 years to January 2026. I started the truck one cold afternoon and the check engine light is on. I scanned it and found P0016. Fast forward again, and I'm waiting for parts to come in to replace the timing chains, tensioners, sprockets and oil pump belt. 

 

Here's my rub. I think it's crazy that GM wants me to pay for most of this repair knowing damn well that GM would have covered this a year ago under warranty. This truck has less than 80K miles on it, but I'm a year out of the factory warranty. GM is offering to cover 30% of the repair bill and I have to pay 70%. There is no way a timing chain with that low miles on it should ever stretch. My truck has had all maintenance done at the same dealership it's at now; all oil changes, recalls, emissions issues, etc. I think GM bet that anyone with the flawed timing chain (it's very well documented in places like here, here, here, here, and here) would have the symptoms show up with it's still in warranty and they'd just address it there. I didn't drive my truck a whole lot in the first few years I had it due to working from home during COVID. 

 

This should not be on the dealership to "step up and comp a repair". This is a faulty part and should have been recalled. If the part WASN'T faulty, they wouldn't have redesigned the chains within a year.

 

I have a case open with GM (93268624) in case anyone that works in GM customer service is reading this. I've asked to speak with someone empowered to make decisions and that is technical so they can explain to me how a faulty timing chain design with a lack of lubrication is the problem of 10s of thousands of us that purchased a 2020 LM2. 

 

I guess next step will be BBB and NHTSA. 

[the wanderer]

At least you still have an engine left, "I do cars" YT channel just dismantled one of these and it's horrifying. 

 

 

Edited April 29 by the wanderer

[newdude]

On 4/26/2026 at 11:32 AM, BlueDMax said:

I have a situation... 2020 Silverado purchased in January 2020 with 4 miles. Fast forward 6 years to January 2026. I started the truck one cold afternoon and the check engine light is on. I scanned it and found P0016. Fast forward again, and I'm waiting for parts to come in to replace the timing chains, tensioners, sprockets and oil pump belt. 

 

Here's my rub. I think it's crazy that GM wants me to pay for most of this repair knowing damn well that GM would have covered this a year ago under warranty. This truck has less than 80K miles on it, but I'm a year out of the factory warranty. GM is offering to cover 30% of the repair bill and I have to pay 70%. There is no way a timing chain with that low miles on it should ever stretch. My truck has had all maintenance done at the same dealership it's at now; all oil changes, recalls, emissions issues, etc. I think GM bet that anyone with the flawed timing chain (it's very well documented in places like here, here, here, here, and here) would have the symptoms show up with it's still in warranty and they'd just address it there. I didn't drive my truck a whole lot in the first few years I had it due to working from home during COVID. 

 

This should not be on the dealership to "step up and comp a repair". This is a faulty part and should have been recalled. If the part WASN'T faulty, they wouldn't have redesigned the chains within a year.

 

I have a case open with GM (93268624) in case anyone that works in GM customer service is reading this. I've asked to speak with someone empowered to make decisions and that is technical so they can explain to me how a faulty timing chain design with a lack of lubrication is the problem of 10s of thousands of us that purchased a 2020 LM2. 

 

I guess next step will be BBB and NHTSA. 

 

 

That 30% assistance is all you are going to get.

 

Fix it and either keep it or dump it.  And if you want to talk timing chains, see 2007-2012 GM High Feature 3.0 and 3.6s.  Seen those with under 80,000mi get chains.  

[2020 3.0]

I just picked my truck up after having this exact repair done.  I am at 94,****** miles and had code p0016 as well.  Had all those parts replaced and GM actually covered 60%.  While they are in there make sure to have them change the oil pump belt as that will be another $7k+ job at 150,000 miles! I am now dealing with the p0777 code and am having trouble finding out if that is covered on the special coverage/extended.  It lists p0747 as covered.  P0747 is solenoid A is stuck on and p0777 is solenoid B is stuck on.

[BlueDMax]

2 hours ago, the wanderer said:

At least you still have an engine left, "I do cars" YT channel just dismantled one of these and it's horrifying. 

 

 

Funny enough, I watched this video last night. Cringeworthy for sure. 

[BlueDMax]

25 minutes ago, 2020 3.0 said:

I just picked my truck up after having this exact repair done.  I am at 94,****** miles and had code p0016 as well.  Had all those parts replaced and GM actually covered 60%.  While they are in there make sure to have them change the oil pump belt as that will be another $7k+ job at 150,000 miles! I am now dealing with the p0777 code and am having trouble finding out if that is covered on the special coverage/extended.  It lists p0747 as covered.  P0747 is solenoid A is stuck on and p0777 is solenoid B is stuck on.

Good to know. 2020 truck? Did you have to fight with them at all?